Armstrong Talks About Doctor

For the Record - Sports Buzz

July 24, 2001

Lance Armstrong agreed his relationship with an Italian doctor linked to drug use might appear questionable and said he would review it after the doctor's September trial. But the two-time Tour de France champion reiterated Monday he believes Dr. Michele Ferrari is innocent. Armstrong, on course for a third consecutive Tour title, answered questions about Ferrari at a news conference.

"People are not stupid," he said. "They will look at the facts. They will say: `Here's Lance Armstrong. Here's a relationship. Is it questionable? Perhaps.'

Armstrong took a big lead in the five mountain stages of the Tour, with Monday a rest day. Competition resumes today, and the race ends in Paris on Sunday.

ERVIN TAKES SWIMMING GOLD

Olympic champion Anthony Ervin won the first gold for the United States at swimming's world championships, capturing the 50-meter freestyle in 22.09 seconds at Fukuoka, Japan.

Russian Roman Sloudnov, who set a world record in the 100 breaststroke with a 59.97 last month, lowered the mark to 59.94 in the semifinals.

In gold-medal races, Matt Welsh of Australia took the men's 100 backstroke, Petria Thomas of Australia won the women's 200 butterfly, Hannah Stockbauer of Germany won the women's 800 freestyle, Luo Xuejuan of China won the women's 100 breaststroke and Germany edged the U.S. in the women's 400-meter freestyle relay.

TALLAHASSEE GETS FOOTBALL TITLE GAMES

The state high school football championship games will be played in Tallahassee for the first time, the Tallahassee Sports Council said. The group secured a contract to host the title games in 2001 and 2002 at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium. The six division finals will be played Dec. 6, 7 and 8 this year and again in early December 2002. The title games have been played the past several years at Florida Field in Gainesville.

PITTSBURGH STAR BRYANT ARRESTED

University of Pittsburgh All-America receiver Antonio Bryant was arrested at Pittsburgh International Airport , accused of using a plane ticket bought with a stolen credit card. After his arrest, he was arraigned on one count of receiving stolen property and released without bond.

Bryant, 20, a sophomore from Miami, won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver last season.

HOUSTON, FINLEY SIGN HUGE CONTRACTS

As expected, guards Allan Houston and Michael Finley re-signed with the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks, respectively. Houston signed a six-year contract for $100 million, and Finley a seven-year contract worth more than $100 million.

DUVAL BLANKED IN SKINS GAME

British Open champion David Duval failed to win a hole at the Telus Skins Game in Markham, Ontario, while Vijay Singh collected $58,257 with a 6-foot putt. Mike Weir, a Canadian, made a 6-foot putt worth $29,129, and Sergio Garcia won one hole to earn $9,710. They played nine holes at the Angus Glen Golf club, with another nine holes scheduled for today.

Duval slept for just one hour after taking a 71/2-hour flight from England following his three-stroke victory Sunday.

MORE GOLF: Dana Quigley completed the final 11/2 holes and won the rain-delayed SBC Senior Open by five shots at Long Grove, Ill. He closed with 3-under-par 69 for a record 16-under 200. Jay Sigel (70) finished second.

COLOMBIA, HONDURAS REACH SEMIFINALS

Victor Aristizabal scored twice to lead host Colombia to a 3-0 victory over Peru in the quarterfinals of the Copa America, South America's soccer championship.

In a second match, Honduras stunned Brazil 2-0, the Hondurans' first victory ever over the Brazilians.